Adjustable picture frame

ABSTRACT

An adjustable picture frame is disclosed which includes a base support member and a tubular member whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of the base support member. Frame base stands are provided each of which includes an aperture whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of the tubular members. The base support member, the tubular members and the base stands are assembled such that each of the tubular members extends out of the aperture in a respective one of the base stands and surrounds a respective end of the base support member. Adjustable locking means are provided for securing the tubular member to the base support member at a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along the base support member.

[ Nov. 27, 1973 [76] Inventor:

[ ADJUSTABLE PICTURE FRAME Daniel Coelho, 1745 Selby Ave., $9.5 An e a, Calif-"2992i.

[22] Filed: July 31, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 276,554

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 140,837, May 6,

1971, abandoned.

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerWencesla0 J. Contreras AttorneyR0nald W. Reagin et a1.

[5 7 ABSTRACT An adjustable picture frame is disclosed which includes a base support member and a tubular member whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of the base support member. Frame base stands are provided each of which includes an aperture whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of the tubular members. The base support member, the tubular members and the base stands are assembled such that each of the tubular members extends out of the aperture in a respective one of the base stands and surrounds a respective end of the base support member. Adjustable locking means are provided for securing the tubular member to the base support member at a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along the base support member.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PMENTEUKM? 197s 3.774.331

SHEET 10? 2 3Hig.1

DA MEL COEL H0 .INVENTOR WWQ ATTORNEY 1 ADJUSTABLE PICTURE'FRAME This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application, Ser. No. 140,837, filed May 6, 1971 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to frames for a picture or the like, and more particularly to such a frame which can be easily adjusted to hold and support pictures of various sizes.

The utility of an adjustable picture frame is obvious. If an adjustable picture frame is provided which is easily adjusted to support and hold pictures, mirrors or the like of different sizes in a general size range, it eliminates the necessity for a merchant to stock the practically infinite variety of sizes of such frames which such merchants must presently stock. In order to be practical, such an adjustable picture frame must, of course, be attractive, must be easily adjustable from one size to another and must be simple and economical to manufacture so that it can be presented to the consuming public at a sufficiently low price.

A number of adjustable picture frames have been proposed in the prior art, but for a variety of reasons none of the proposed frames has met with widespread acceptance. The usual reasons that these adjustable picture frames of the prior art have not been successful have been because they are either unattractive, the adjustments are difficult to make or the adjusting mechanism is sufficiently complex that the manufacturing cost of the frame effectively prices it out of the market.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable picture frame.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable picture frame whose appearance is aesthetically pleasing.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved pictureframe in which adjustments between various sizes can be easily efiected.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable picture frame which is economical to manufacture.

member and first and second tubular members whose interior surfaces substantially conform to the exterior surface of the base support member. First and second frame base stands are provided each of which includes an aperture whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of the tubular members. The base support member, the tubular members and the base stands are assembled such that each of the tubular members extends out of the aperture in a respective one of the base stands and surrounds a respective end of the base support member. Adjustable locking means are provided for securing each of the tubular members to the base support member at a selected one of aplurality of possible axial positions along the base support member.

For a complete understanding of the invention, and

an appreciation of other objects and advantages thereof, please refer to the following detailed description of the attached drawings, in which:

ber which can be used with the embodiment of the present invention which is shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable picture frame 10 in accordance with the present invention. The frame 10 is shown supporting a picture 12. As is shown in FIG. 1, the adjustable frame 10 includes two frame base stands 14 and 16 each of which has an aperture extending therethrough. First and second tubular members 18 and 20 extend through the apertures in base stands 14 and '16 respectively. A base support member 22 has its first end portion supported within the hollow interior of first tubular member 18 and its second end portion supported within the hollow interior of second tubular member 20. As is better shown in FIG. 2, and as described in detail below, a groove is provided in the top of base support member 22 to receive and support the bottom edge of picture 12 and suitable passages are provided in the top of tubular members 18 and 20 to allow the bottom edge of picture 12 to pass therethrough into the groove in base support member 22.

In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, a first locking spring clip 24 is provided which secures tubular member 18 to base stand 14 and locks base support member 22 into a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions relative to first tubular member 18. Similarly, a second locking spring clip 26, only the end of which is shown in FIG. 1, secures second tubular member 20 to second base stand 16 and locks base support member 22 at a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions relative to second tubular member 20. The assembly of the frame base stands, the tubular members, the base support member and the spring locking clips is better shown in FIG. 2, and the manner of adjusting the frame 10 is described in connection with the description of FIG. 2 below.

The frame 10 is completed by the side support members 28 and 30 which, as shown in FIG. 1, are secured to first frame base stand 14 and second frame base stand 16 respectively. Each of the side support members 28 and 30 includes a groove along its edge adjacent to picture 12 to receive and support a respective side edge of picture 12.

It will be appreciated from FIG. 1 that the adjustable frame 10 has no front side or back side, but is instead the same from either side. Thus, the frame 10 may be used to support two pictures back to back to display these pictures on a desk, a table, a mantle or the like.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a portion of the picture frame 10 of FIG. 1 and illustrates how the component parts of the picture frame are assembled and also how the size of the frame is adjusted to accommodate different size pictures. The exploded view of FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled relationship of the first frame base stand 14, first tubular member 18, base support member 22 and first spring locking clip 24. These elements are all assembled around a first end of base support member 22. Not shown in FIG. 2 is the second frame base stand 16, the second tubular member 20 and the second locking spring clip 22, which, as is shown in FIG. 1 are assembled around the second end portion of base support member 22 in a similar manner.

As is shown in FIG. 2, an aperture 32 extends all the way through frame base stand 14. First tubular member 18 is positioned within aperture 32, and the exterior surface of tubular member 18 substantially conforms to the interior surface of aperture 32. Similarly, base support member 22 has one end portion positioned concentrically within the exposed end of first tubular member 18, and the exterior surface of base support mem-' ber 22 substantially conforms to the interior surface of tubular member 18. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cross-sections of aperture 32, tubular member 18 and base support member 22 are all sub stantially circular, but any desired cross sectional area or shape may be provided, as long as these elements can be concentrically positioned within themselves for relatively free axial sliding movement relative to each other but secured against movement in other directions. The word tubular is thus intended to describe any elongated, hollow member, and not merely such a member having a circular cross-section.

Locking spring clip 24 secures base stand 14, first tubular member 18 and base support member 22 in a desired one of a plurality of possible axial positions relative to each other. The shown components are assem bled so that spring clip 24 lies along the bottom of aperture 32. If desired, the bottom of aperture 32 may be leveled to accommodate the flat surface of spring clip 24. Spring clip 24 is positioned within aperture 32 so that one of the downwardly extending tabs 34 is snug against the opposite side of base stand 14 and the other of the downwardly extending tabs 36 is snug against the near side of base stand 14. If desired, suitable recess such as 38 may be provided for downwardly extending tabs 34 and 36 to lock spring clip 24 more securely in position. An upwardly extending tab 40 is provided at the other end of spring clip 24.

A slot 42 is provided in the bottom of tubular member 18 near its end adjacent to base support member 22. The dimensions of slot 42 are chosen so that the upwardly extending tab 40 of spring clip 24 passes freely through slot 42 but, when the tab 40 is in this position, and when the downwardly extending tabs 34 and 36 are locked around the ends of aperture 32 in base stand 14, it prevents axial movement of tubular member 28 relative to base stand 14.

FIG. 2 also shows a plurality of slots 44 in the bottom of base support member 22 which has dimensions similar to the slot 42 in tubular member 18. The length of upwardly extending tab 40 is sufficient to pass through the slot 42 and to extend into a selected one of the slots 44 in base support member 22, thereby locking base support member 22 in a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions relative to tubular member 18. Adjusting from one selected axial position to another is effected by simply deflecting spring clip member 24 downwardly by the clip 46, thereby allowing axial movement of base support member 22 relative to tubular member 18 until the desired new dimension of frame is achieved, at which time clip 46 is released to allow spring clip 24 to return to its flat position and tab 40 to extend back upwardly through slots 42 into a new selected one of the slots 44 to lock base support member 22 in the new desired axial position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the spacing between the slots 44 in base support member 22 is uniform, although if desired the spacing between the slots 44 at one end of base support member 22 can be different from the spacing between the slots 44 at the other end of base support member 22. If this is done, a ver nier effect enables the dimensions of frame 10 to be adjusted to a finer degree than the spacing between adjacent ones of the slots 44. This is effected by simultaneously extending base support member 22 out of one of the tubular members 18 and 20 while retracting it into the other of the tubular members 18 and 20.

FIG. 2 also shows a groove 48 in the top of base support member 22 to receive and support the bottom edge of the picture 12 of FIG. 1, a passage 50 in the top of one end of tubular member 18 to allow the bottom edge of picture 12 to pass therethrough into the groove 48 and a groove 52 in the end of frame base stand 14 to allow the bottom portion of the side edge of picture 12 to pass therethrough so the picture 12 can be brought down into the groove 48. FIG. 2 also shows a dovetail groove 54 in the top portion of base stand 14 which, in combination with a dovetail tongue in the bottom portion of side support member 28 (not shown in FIG. 2), secures side support member 28 to frame base stand 14.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the side support members 28 and 30 shown therein are single piece members which, as was just described, can be secured to their respective base stands 14 and 16 by a simple dovetail slot and tongue arrangement. In some applications it may be desirable to provide adjustable height of the side support members also. This may be easily effected in either of two ways. One way is to provide side support members of different heights with the frame 10. the side support members of the desired height are then easily assembled onto the frame base stands 14 and 16. Alternatively, sectionalized side support members can be provided in which modular sections are added to the side support members by a similar dovetail slot and tongue arrangement to provide the desired height.

It will be appreciated that the adjustable picture frame 10 just described is formed from a small number of components each of which is quite simple in design and structure, thereby facilitating economic manufacturing of the frame 10. In manufacture, the frame base stands 14 and 16 and the side support members 28 and 30 can easily be molded or die cast from plastic and the tubular members 18 and 20 and the base support member 22 can be extruded in plastic in long lengths and cut into the desired lengths for a given application. Alternatively, these members can be formed from metal, wood or any other desired material. The locking spring clip 24 can be easily stamped out from suitable sheet metal. Thus, all of the components are easily and economically manufactured to provide for an attractive, essentially foolproof and economically feasible adjustable picture frame.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of a picture frame which incorporates a second embodiment of the present invention. In order to show the correlation between this embodiment of the invention and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, like or similar parts are numbered with a reference numeral 100 units higher than the reference numeral of the corresponding part in the first embodiment.

The picture frame 110 includes a first base stand 114, a first tubular member 118 and a base support member 122. Again, as in the case of the first embodiment, the interior surface of tubular member 118 substantially conforms to the exterior surface of support member 122, which in this embodiment can be either a solid member, as shown, or can be a hollow member as shown in FIG. 2. When the elements shown in the exploded position in FIG. 3 are assembled, the tubular member 118 passes through the aperture 132 in first base stand 114 and is secured thereto in any desired manner, such as by gluing or heat sealing.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the first end portion of support member 122 has a circumferential groove 155 formed in its surface. An expandable and compressible locking member 156 is provided which, when assembled, is positioned in circumferential groove 155. Locking member 156 is preferably an annular member as shown which is formed from an elastic material such as nylon and which is formed to have dimensions such that it can be compressed into groove 115 to allow base support member 122 to be inserted into tubular member 118, but which then expands to provide a secure frictional engagement with the interior surface of tubular member 118. After the units are so assembled, the base support member 122 and tubular member 118 can, upon application of an axial force, slide relative to each other through an infinite plurality of possible axial positions. When the sliding force is removed, the frictional engagemnt between locking member 156 and the interior surface of tubular member 118 holds the two elements'securely in the determined position.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the bottom surface of tubular member 118 includes a longitudinal slot 158 having first and second ends. A limiting tab 160 is provided in locking member 156 which extends through longitudinal slot 158. Thus, after assembly, this limiting tab limits the axial movement of the support member 122 relative to the tubular member 118 at end positions determined by the location of the first and second ends of slot 158.

The other end portion of support member 122 includes a second circumferential groove 162 which receives a second compressible locking member (not shown) and which is inserted into a second tubular member and second base stand member (both not shown). Since the adjustable picture frame 110 is symmetrical, and these elements are the same as those just shown and described, they are not further described herein.

' It is also noted that in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, no groove is provided in the top surfaces of tubular member 118 and base support member 122 to receive the bottom edge of a picture. Instead, in this embodiment, the picture is supported solely by the groove 152 in the first base stand 114 and first side support member 128. If desired, a groove similar to that shown in FIG. 2 could be provided to receive the bottom edge of the picture. Obviously, the groove in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 could also be omitted and the picture shown therein could be supported solely in the grooves in the base stands and side support members.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second locking member 164 which can be used in place of the locking member 156 shown in FIG. 3. The locking member 164 comprises two rounded solid members 166 and 168 which are interconnected by a spring 170. The locking member 164 fits into the circumferential grooves shown in the base support member 122 of FIG. 3. The spring 170 then passes through a hole (not shown in FIG. 3) which passes diametrically through the base support member 122 in the grooves and 162 to urge the two solid members 166 and 168 radially outward. The locking tab 172 is provided to cooperate with the longitudinal slot 158 to limit the axial positions of the members in the same manner that the locking tab of FIG. 3 does.

While the invention is thus disclosed and the preferred embodiment described in detail, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the shown embodiment. Instead, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art which lie within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, if desired in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apertures in the frame base stand need not extend all the way through. Instead, the aperture could extend only part of the way through, the tubular members could be shortened and a suitable slot could be provided at the end of the aperture to retain the downwardly extending tab 34 of spring clip 24. Also, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tubular member 118 could be formed integrally with the base stand 114. Also, in either embodiment, the base support member could be secured to the tubular member or base stand at one end and be adjustable only at the other end. The resultant structures would still be an adjustable picture frame which operates in the same manner as the ones described in detail above. It is thus intended that the invention be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable frame for a picture or the like, comprising, in combination: I

a support member having a first end portion and a second end portion and having a groove along the top thereof to receive and support the bottom edge of a picture,

first and second tubular members whose interior surfaces substantially conform to. the exterior surface of said support member,

first and second frame base stands each of which includes an aperture whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surfaces of said tubular members,

said support member, tubular members and base stands being assembled such that said first tubular member extends out of said aperture in said first base stand and surrounds said first end portion of said support member and said second tubular member extends out of said aperture in said second base stand and surrounds said second end portion of said support member,

first adjustable locking means for securing said first tubular member to said first base stand and for securing said first tubular member to said support member at a first selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member, and

second adjustable locking means for securing said second tubular members to said second base stand and for securing said second tubular member to said support member at a second selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member. 2. The adjustable frame ofclaim l in which said apertures in said base stands extend entirely through said base stands.

3. The adjustable frame of claim 2 in which each of said tubular members has a slot in the bottom thereof, and said support member has a plurality of spaced slots in the bottom thereof and each of said first and second locking means comprises a spring clip having a first and second end and having means to secure its first end in the aperture of its respective base stand and having an upwardly extending tab at its second end which passes through said slot in its respective tubular member and into a selected one of said plurality of slots in said support member.

4. The adjustable frame of claim 3 in which said means to secure the first end of said spring clip in the aperture of its respective base stand comprises first and second spaced downwardly extending tabs who are spaced by a distance equal to the length of said aperture, whereby said downwardly extending tabs can lock on each side of said respective base stand.

5. The adjustable frame of claim 4 in which said support member, said tubular members and the apertures in said base stands all have substantially circular crosssections.

6. The adjustable frame of claim 5 in which said tubular members each includes a passage along its top in the end thereof extending out of said aperture in its respective base stand, whereby the bottom edge of a picture in said stand can pass through said passages to be received and supported in said groove in said support member.

7. The adjustable frame of claim 6 which further comprises first and second side support members each having a groove along the side edge thereof to receive and support the side edge of a picture and means for securing each of said side support members to the top of a respective one of said base stands.

8. An adjustable frame for a picture or the like, comprising, in combination:

a support member having a first end portion,

a tubular, member whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of said support member,

a frame base stand,

said support member, tubular member and base stand being assembled such that said tubular member is secured to base stand and surrounds said first end portion of said support member, and

adjustable locking means for securing said tubular member to said support member at a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member.

9. The adjustable frame of claim 8 in which said adjustable locking means comprises a circumferential groove around said first end portion of said support member and a compressible locking member positioned in said groove which expands to provide secure frictional engagement with the interior surface of said tubular member.

10. The adjustable frame of claim 9 in which said tn bular member has a longitudinal slot therein having a first and a second end and in which said locking member includes a tab which extends through said slot, thereby limiting axial movement of said locking member relative to said tubular member between said first and second ends of said slot.

11. The adjustable frame of claim 10 in which said locking member comprises an annular member formed from an elastic material.

12. The adjustable frame of claim 10 in which said locking member comprises at least one solid member positioned in said groove and a spring element which urges said solid member radially outward from said groove. 

1. An adjustable frame for a picture or the like, comprising, in combination: a support member having a first end portion and a second end portion and having a groove along the top thereof to receive and support the bottom edge of a picture, first and second tubular members whose interior surfaces substantially conform to the exterior surface of said support member, first and second frame base stands each of which includes an aperture whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surfaces of said tubular members, said support member, tubular members and base stands being assembled such that said first tubular member extends out of said aperture in said first base stand and surrounds said first end portion of said support member and said second tubular member extends out of said aperture in said second base stand and surrounds said second end portion of said support member, first adjustable locking means for securing said first tubular member to said first base stand and for securing said first tubular member to said support member at a first selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member, and second adjustable locking means for securing said second tubular members to said second base stand and for securing said second tubular member to said support member at a second selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member.
 2. The adjustable frame of claim 1 in which said apertures in said base stands extend entirely through said base stands.
 3. The adjustable frame of claim 2 in which each of said tubular members has a slot in the bottom thereof, and said support member has a plurality of spaced slots in the bottom thereof and each of said first and second locking means comprises a spring clip having a first and second end and having means to secure its first end in the aperture of its respective base stand and having an upwardly extending tab at its second end which passes through said slot in its respective tubular member and into a selected one of said plurality of slots in said support member.
 4. The adjustable frame of claim 3 in which said means to secure the first end of said spring clip in the aperture of its respective base stand comprises first and second spaced downwardly extending tabs who are spaced by a distance equal to the length of said aperture, whereby said downwardly extending tabs can lock on each side of said respective base stand.
 5. The adjustable frame of claim 4 in which said support member, said tubular members and the apertures in said base stands all have substantially circular cross-sections.
 6. The adjustable frame of claim 5 in which said tubular members each includes a passage along its top in the end thereof extending out of said aperture in its respective base stand, whereby the bottom edge of a picture in said stand can pass through said passages to be received and supported in said groove in said support member.
 7. The adjustable frame of claim 6 which further comprises first and second side support members each having a groove along the side edge thereof to receive and support the side edge of a picture and means for securing each of said side support members to the top of a respective one of said base stands.
 8. An adjustable frame for a picture or the like, comprising, in combination: a support member having a first end portion, a tubular member whose interior surface substantially conforms to the exterior surface of said support member, a frame base stand, said support member, tubular member and base stand being assembled such that said tubular member is secured to base stand and surrounds said first end portion of said support member, and adjustable locking means for securing said tubular member to said support member at a selected one of a plurality of possible axial positions along said support member.
 9. The adjustable frame of claim 8 in which said adjustable locking means comprises a circumferential groove around said first end portion of said support member and a compressible locking member positioned in said groove which expands to provide secure frictional engagement with the interior surface of said tubular member.
 10. The adjustable frame of claim 9 in which said tubular member has a longitudinal slot therein having a first and a second end and in which said locking member includes a tab which extends through said slot, thereby limiting axial movement of said locking member relative to said tubular member between said first and second ends of said slot.
 11. The adjustable frame of claim 10 in which said locking member comprises an annular member formed from an elastic material.
 12. The adjustable frame of claim 10 in which said locking member comprises at least one solid member positioned in said groove and a spring element which urges said solid member radially outward from said groove. 